Starred Up

In England, the term “starred up” (the film’s original title) refers to minors who are transferred early from juvenile detention to adult prison. Eric (Jack O’Connell) is one such “starred-up” inmate. The 19-year-old is highly aggressive—a ticking time bomb. He knows the tricks, knows how to turn everyday objects into weapons, and where to hide them. His explosive outbursts of violence against guards and inmates disrupt the orderly routine—and thus also the prison’s top dealer, who fears for his business. Because deals only run smoothly when there’s peace in the wing. Eric doesn’t grasp the bigger picture yet. But one person knows exactly how things work behind bars: Nev (Ben Mendelsohn), inmate, alpha male—and Eric’s father. Even sociologist Baumer (Rupert Friend), who wants to help Eric, can do little to counter Nev’s influence... The acclaimed British director David Mackenzie (“The Negotiator,” “Hell or High Water”) paints a clear, harsh picture of a repressive system in his intense prison drama. Here, violence is less the exception than the norm. He can rely on his young lead actor Jack O’Connell (71'), who delivers a physically and emotionally compelling performance as an uncontrollable inmate. The father-son dynamic, in particular, makes the spiral of aggression and powerlessness psychologically relatable and allows the film to powerfully explore toxic masculinity, institutional violence, and the difficulty of bringing about change. “An exceptionally intense prison drama, staged with unvarnished harshness, that grippingly captures the oppressive atmosphere. Brilliant actors lend the existential central three-way conflict an impressive depth. - Worth seeing.” (Lexikon des Internationalen Films)